Malaysia records 16th Covid-19 death

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia recorded its 16th death from Covid-19 after a 75-year-old man succumbed to the virus at Kuala Lumpur Hospital on Tuesday (March 24) evening, said Health Ministry director-general Noor Hisham Abdullah.

The victim, who was case No. 1,334, died at 7.40pm. His death was reported to the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC).

Dr Noor Hisham said in a Facebook post that the victim, a Malaysian, had a history of various chronic illnesses.

The victim showed symptoms of Covid-19 infection for five days before he was admitted to Tuanku Mizan Hospital on March 16.

He was transferred to Kuala Lumpur Hospital two days later.

Dr Noor Hisham said the patient’s condition deteriorated and he was then warded at the hospital’s intensive care unit and put on a ventilator.

He was confirmed a Covid-19 case on March 21 and succumbed to the virus on Tuesday.

Health authorities are still investigating the source of the infection.

Earlier on Tuesday, Dr Noor Hisham said the number of infections reported was 106 cases, bringing the total number to 1,624 cases.

As of Tuesday, 64 patients remained in intensive care units, with 27 requiring respiratory assistance.

Some 62 per cent of Covid-19 cases reported in Malaysia so far have been linked to a tabligh event held at Masjid Jamek Sri Petaling from February 27 to March 1.

It was reported that about 14,500 locals had attended the event, and the authorities are continuing to urge those who have not undergone checks to come forward.

The Health Ministry is now carrying out “active case detection” on tabligh attendees, Dr Noor Hisham had said.

“So, we are going after the tabligh group to ensure they do not spread the infection.

“Our view is that, at the end of two weeks, what we are trying to do is that we are trying to prevent the increase of cases in the next couple of weeks.”

Putrajaya has imposed a two-week movement control order (MCO) from March 18 to March 31, to break the chain of Covid-19 transmissions.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin had said that, if the situation does not improve at the end of the month, the MCO may be extended.

Globally, the virus has infected more than 380,000 people, with more than 17,000 deaths reported. THE MALAYSIAN INSIGHT